Clutch mechanism



Jan. 19, 1937. A. LASZLO A .CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1934 5 Sheets- Sheet 1 ffl.

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Jan. 19, 1937. A- LASZL 2,067,970

CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1934 "5 sheets-sheet 2 A gmc/who@ @ga/fear fag/0 Jan. 19, 1937 A LA SZLQ 2,0%?,970

CLUTCH MEGHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 19, 1937. A. LAszLo CLUTCH' MEGHANISM Filed Feb. 12, 1934 5 Sheets-Shee-t 4 a--Iu 1/mln kyle :io parts maybe set working with a ,retract the weights f The drawings show various type clutch to which are suitable for use tion, and as levers of throw-out sleeve as a Parental Jan. l19, 1937 PATENT oFFICE CLUTCH MECHANISM Andrew Laszlo, Detroit,

eral Motors Corporation,

poration o f Delaware Application February 12,

- 13 claims. '(01. 19a- 105) This invention relates to friction clutches of the centrifugal type adapted automatically to transmit the drive from a ,driving shaft to a driven shaft at alldriving shaft speeds in excess of a certain minimum. ItV relates particularly to such clutches in which provision is made whereby Vthe clutch may be manually engaged when the centrifugal force is insufcientor not available for automatic engagement, or manually disengaged when centrifugally engaged.

One object of the invention is a centrifugal clutch of the foregoing kind in which the masses which are Asubject to movement under the influence of 'centrifugal force are effective to permit other forces to become operative to engage the clutch members, rather than of themselves providing the engaging pressure, and whereby the effort required to disengage the members is of reasonable and constant proportions and independent of the centrifugal forces which vary as the square of the speed.

Another object of the'invention 'is to provide a centrifugal clutch in which economy of parts is obtained by combining the parts necessary for automatic operation with those required for manual operation so that each performs adual function, being operative whether the clutch is automatically or manually operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide the clutch with a suitable'control vmeans whereby the for either manual or automatic operation. 4 i Y v A further -bject of the invention is to provide a clutch of the foregoing character with an equalizer ring through which any number of centrifugal weights or4 masses may be operative in conjunction with anyl desired number of clutchv levers. l

A still further object of the invention isto provide a clutch in which but agsingle set of springs dierential action serves both to and to engage the clutch.

designs of single disc which centrifugal control means according to the invention has been applied, andV in a motor vehicle.

In every case the clutch levers through which engagement or disengagement of the friction discs is'permitted or effected function as levers of the third order during the rst order during .manual operation. In functioning as levers of the third order, the levers move about the fulcrum, and the fly weight retracting springs acting on the levers through mately ,on line 9-9 of Figure centrifugal automatic operaclutch Mich., assgnor to Gen- Detroit, Mich., a cor- 1934, serial No. 110,792

movabletherewith opof the clutch the fly weights or a part pose or resist the engaging force engaging springs. In functioning as levers first order, the levers move about the fulcrurns on the y weights or a part movable therewith, and the engaging force of the clutch engaging springs may be opposed or resisted by a force acting on the levers through vth conventional clutch throwout sleeve.

In every case also, a three positional control of the position of the clutch throw-out sleeve or an abutment for the clutch levers is'provided," such that from its position for manual engagement of the clutch discs the clutch-throw-out sleeve is moved successively in the same direction to a position for automatic` operation in which the clutch may be either automatically engaged or auctomatically disengaged, and to a position in which the clutch is manually disengaged in any circumstances.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a part sectional view on line l-l of Figure 3 of a centrifugal clutch according to the invention and showing the clutch in the automatically engaged position.

Figure 2 is a detail view in section on line 2-2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a view, partly broken away and partly in section,

sleeve.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the control means shown in Figure 4.

AFigure 8 is a part sectional view on line-B of Figure 9 of an alternative construction of centrifugal clutch according to the invention and '1 showing the clutch in the manually engaged position. Figure -9 is a partly broken away view approxi- Figure 101s a detail view on une lo-m of rigure 9.

Figure l1 is a view on a. reduced scale o f a clutch according toI Figure 8 showing the parts in the automatically released position.

Figure 121s a view on a reduced scale of a clutch according to Figures; showing the parts in the y automatically engaged position.

of the I tail view of the shifting means for. the throw-out Figure -13 is a part sectional view on line I3-I3 of Figure 15 of another alternative construction of centrifugal clutch according to the invention,

alternative construction of centrifugal clutch according to the invention and showing the clutch in the automatically engaged position.

Figure 17 is a view approximately on lineV I`I--I'l of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a detail view on line Iii-,I8 of Figure 17.

,throw-out lever Figure 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a detail. l

In all the drawings the driving shaft I is provided with the driving disc 2 which, in the examples illustrated, is an engine flywheel. 3` is the driven disc splined on the driven shaft 4. Rigidly bolted to' the driving disc 2 is the clutch cover 5. l y

The pressure plate 6 which turns with the clutch cover 5 is capable of axial sliding movement relative thereto and is yieldingly urged towards the driven disc 3 which is frictionally gripped between the pressure plate 6 and the driving disc 2 to transmit the drive from the driving shaft I to the driven shaft 4.

The position of the pressure plate 6 is controlled .manually by movement of the throw-out sleeve 'I into different positions axially of the driven shaft 4 or automatically by the centrifugal movement of y weights pivoted on the clutch cover 5, and later to be described.

Both the throw-out sleeve and the ily weights are operative on the pressure plate 6 through the medium of suitable clutch throw-out levers to bevdescribed later in conjunction with the specific embodiments thereof.

Referring now to Figures l, 2, and 3, the pressure plate 6 is driven from the driving shaft and the driving disc 2 to which the clutch cover 5is rigidly connected, through suitable pins 8 in the clutch cover, which engage grooves 9 in the periphery of the pressure plate. An adjustable stop I8 is provided to limit the retractive movement of the pressure plate 6.

A suitable number of 'ily weights I0, equally spaced radially of the clutch cover 5, are pivotally mounted on pins II suitably supported on the clutch cover 5 in a plane at right axis of the clutch. 'I'he ily weights I0 are such that they have a centrifugal moment about -the pins II when the driving shaft is running.

II under the influence of centrifugal force is yieldingly resisted by :ily weight retracting springs? I2 pocketed in the fly weights and reacting on the clutch cover 5.l

Between the pressure plate 6 and theclutch cover 5 is another series'of springs I3 which serve as main clutch springs tending to effect frictional driving enga-gement between the driven' disc 3, the driving disc 2 and the pressure plate 6.

Pivoted on each fly-weight I0 about anaxis provided by a pin I4 parallel to the pin I I is a I5. 'Ihe lever I5 is slotted'at I5' to clear the pin I I. The position of the pin I4 in each ily weight is such that a centrifugal moment tending to turn the ily weight about the pin II has a component of angles to the forcel tending to move 'the- :supernovay extends radially outstirrups I6,V one for veach lever, on the pressure plate 6. 'I'he levers. I5 have a half cylindrical surface in engagement with the inside of the stirrup I6 with clearance between themselves andthe pressure plate 6'itse1f, which clearance is taken up by small springs I'I. The other end of each throw-out lever I5 extends radially inwards into the path of movement ofthe throw-out sleeve 1.

\ In the position of the parts illustrated in Figure 1, centrifugal force has overcome the fly Weight retracting spring I2, moving pin I4 to the left along with the throw-out lever I5 which has turned about the faceof the throw-out sleeve 1, permitting the main clutch springs I3 to thrustr the pressure plate and the clutch discs intoifrictional driving engagement.

In the automatic movement of the parts from the, disengaged position to the engaged position permitted through the iniluence oi centrifugal force, the outer ends of .each throw-out lever I5 have moved about the face of the throw-out sleeve 1 as a stationary fulcrum since the turning moment of the springs I3 tending to effect engagement of the clutch as applied through the stirrups I6 on the levers I5 about the throw-out sleeve 'I has become progressively greater than the moment of the retracting springs I2 in the opposite direction about pins II as applied at I4 on the reduced progressively by the centrifugal moment thereabout.

A further slight movement of the fly weights outward beyond the point where the clutch has become engaged moves the lever I5 about the yoke I6 Aaway from the face of the throw-out sleeve 1, relieving the lever I5 of all loading.

The movement of the parts from the engaged position to the disengaged position as the speed of the driving disc becomes sufficiently low is a reversal of the above describedaction.

. The above' described operation ofthe parts constituting the, centrifugal automatic engagement and disengagement of the clutch discs, all` takes place with the throw-out sleeve 1 in the position illustrated.

It will be appreciated that at any time 'by moving the throw-out sleeve 'l to the left in 4Figure 1, the pressure plate 6 will be-moved to thel right away from the driven disc 3 and the clutch disengaged through the levers I5 in pivoting about I4, while if at any stitute positions taken up by the'throw-out sleeve when the clutchis manually operated.

Referring now-to Figures 4, 5, 6, and ",y which show. the control means by which the clutch time'the throw-out sleeve 1 ismoved to the right in vFigure 1,'thepressure plate throw-out sleeve is held in the intermediate posi- 75 4 shows a clutch according to the invention interis such that by depressing posed between the engine I9 o f a motor vehicle and the transmission indicated at- 20. 2I is the transmission tail shaft.

The clutch pedal 22 is mounted on the clutch and brake pedal shaft 23, and has a finger 24 adjustably engaging a lever 25 through the medium of which the clutch pedal is operative to move the clutch release yoke lever 26 and thereby the throw-out sleeve 1 all in a manner which is quite conventional. According to the invention, however, the clutch pedal 22 is provided with a lug 21 having an adjusting stop 28 thereon. The a stepped cam 29 capable of being turned through a few degrees about a spindle 38.. Turning of the cam 29 is effected through a Bowden wirecontroll 3I from the instrument board 32 of thel vehicle.

The construction and disposition of the parts the clutch pedal and pulling out the Bowden wire control knob 33, the cam is moved intosuch a position that a high part of the cam holds the clutch pedal partly out. By reversing the movement of theBowden wirea low" part of the cam allows the clutch pedal to come into the full line position of Figure 4- Figure 7 shows the position of the parts when the clutch pedal is in this position indicated by the broken lines in Figure 4. It .will be appreciated that the broken line position of the clutch pedal in Figure 4 is that corresponding to the po- A throw-out sleeve,

sition of the throw-out sleeve shown in Figure l, and coincides with a position of the throw-out sleeve intermediate between the position of thethrow-out sleeve whenthe clutch pedal is in the position indicated in full lines in Figure 4 and a third position thereof in which the clutch pedal 22 is fully depressed.

The construction according to Figures 8, 9, 10,

11, and 12 is distinguished from'the previously described embodiment in that the clutch levers are not pivoted directly on the iiy weights, but on bearing engagement therewith and through which any number of fly weights may be operative in conjunction with any desired number of clutch levers.

The pressure plate 6. is driven from the clutch cover 5 through suitable indentations 34 engaging grooves Fly weights`36, equally spaced radially o f the clutch cover 5, are pivotaily mounted o'n pins 31 suitably supported on the clutch cover 5 in a plane at right angles to the axis of the clutch. Fly weight retracting springs 38 are pocketed in the fly weights and react on the clutch cover 5.

'I'he fly weights are each provided with a tongue 39 which bears against an equalizer ring 48'. The equalizer ring` is supported on a flanged part 4I of the clutch cover 5 on which it is capable of axial movement.

. Bifurcatedclutch throw-out levers 42, arranged radially intermediately of the ily weights 36, are pivoted on pins 43 suitably mounted on the pres'- sure plate 6. vThe inner ends of. the throw-out levers extend into The throw-out levers are pivotally connected intermediately of their ends to the equalizer ring 49 through pivot pins 44 on pivot pin support members 44 extending through the clutch cover 5 and adjustably connected' to the equalizer ring 48 by nuts 45. Suitable springs 46 are interposed between the pivot pin support ni'lembers 44 stop 28 coacts with' pins 31 greater than in the periphery of the pressure,

the path of movement of the v manually engaged position corresponding to the full line position of the clutch pedal in Figure 4, while Figures 11 and l2 show the position of the parts corresponding to the broken line position of the clutch pedal in Figure 4, and respectively in the automatically released and the automatically engaged positions.

The operation of the parts is as follows: assuming the clutch to be in the automatically released position lshown in Figure 11, then as the speed of the driving disc 2 increases, the fly weights 36 under the iniluence of centrifugal force turn about the pins 31, compressing the ily weight retracting springs 38. The tongue 39 is thereby moved to the left to the position shown in Figure l2, permitting the equalizer ring 40 to move to the left also, under the influence of the springs 46. .This movement of the equalizer ring 40 permits movement of the pivot pin 44 to the 1eft,per

mitting the levers 42v to move about the stationary.

influence of the clutch to effect pressure engagement of the pressure plate and the clutch discs.

It will be appreciated that to the extent that the springs 38 have a turning moment about the the' centrifugal moment in an opposite drectionab'outli'e pins 31, there is a force on the equalizer ring through the tonguesv 39 which has a turning moment on the levers 42 at 44 about the throw-out sleeve 1 which is greaterzthan the turning moment of springs 41 on the levers 42 at 43 about the throw-out sleeve and vice versa.

Retraction of the throw-out sleeve to the right to the position shown in Figure 8 at any time permits the levers 42 to pivot about 44 and thereby to permit 'manual engagement of the clutch by the springs 41, while manual disengagement is effected by moving the clutch throw-out ysleeve to the left against the acting at the outer ends of the levers 42.

The modification shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15 is similar. to Figures 1, 2, and 3, except that the springs I2 and I3 of Figures 1, 2, and 3 have been replaced by a single set of springs to perform the pressure of the springs 41 y dual function of main clutch springs and fly weight retracting springs.

In Figures 13, 14, and 15 the fly weights 50 are pivotally mounted on'pins5I suitably supported on the clutch cover 5.

Each fly weight is provided radially outwards y from the pin`5I with 'a pair of spring pockets 52 for springs 53 approximatelyparallel with the clutch shaft and an equal distance radially therefrom which have aseating in the bottom of the pockets with their other ends seated against the clutch pressure plate 6 which turns with the I out lever 55 which is provided with a-slotted hole 56 for clearance around the pin 5|.

The clutch throw-out levers extend radially inwards into the throw-out sleeve 1 and radially outwards to engage each their own stirrup 51 on the pressure plate 6. There is a clearancebetween the levers 55 and the pressure plate 6 in their stirrups 51 which is taken up by small springs 58.

As shown in Figure 14,- an eccentric seating fbr each spring 53 on a seating piece 59 in the bottom of each of the pockets 52 in the fly weights 50 is provided whereby the length of the moment arm of the springs 53 on the fly weights 50 about their pivots 5| may be changed bya turning adjustment of the seating pieces 59.

In yoperation the turning moment of the pressure of the springs 53 aboutpivot 5| results in a `force at 54 on the levers 55 about the throwout sleeve 1 which, until centrifugal force is operative, has a Iturning moment greater than the turning moment of the pressure of the same springs 53 through the pressure plate at 51 on the levers 55 about the throw-out sleeve 1, and the clutch is disengaged. As the ily weights are thrown outwards, there is a centrifugal turning moment opposing the turning moment of the springs 53 about 5| so that the resultant turning moment about is reduced, the pressure of the springs on pressure plate 6 is increased, and the clutch is engaged. y

As in the previous examples of a clutch according to the invention, retraction of the throwout sleeve to the right at any time permits engagement of the clutch, while disengagement is effected bymoving the throw-out sleeve to the left.

'Ihe modification shown in Figures 16, 17, 18,

and 19 combines the use of a single set of springs 4to perform the dual function of main clutch springs and fly weight retracting springs as shown in Figures 13, 14g/and 15 with, the use of an equalizer ring for the weights and levers as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

In Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19, the fly weights 60 are pivotally mounted on pins 6| suitably supported on the clutch cover 5. The fiy weights are each provided with atongue 62 which bears against an equalizer ring 63, and a pocket 64 for a spring 65 which has a seating 66 in the bottom of the pocket and a seating on the clutch pressure plate 6 which turns with the clutch cover 5 but is capable of axial sliding movement relative thereto. v

The equalizer ring 63 is supported on a flanged part 61 of the clutch cover 5 on which it is capable ofaxial .movement.

Bifurcated clutch throw-out levers 68 arranged radially intermediately of the fly weights 60 are pivoted on pins 69 suitably mounted on the pressure plate 6. The inner ends of the vthrow out levers extend into the path of movement of the l throw out sleeve 1.

The throw-out levers are pivotally connected intermediately of their ends to the equalizer ring 63 through pivot vpins members 1I` extending through the clutch cover 5 and adjustably connected to the equalizer ring 53 by nuts 12.

Suitable springs 13 are interposed between the lpivot pin support members |I and vthe clutch cover 5 to maintain the equalizer ring 63 in contact with thetongues 62I of the fly weights 6U. The equalizer ring- 63 is compelled to turn with the clutch cover 5 through studs 14 provided path of movement of the clutch on pivot pin support '60 about their pivots 6| may be adjustably changed.

In operation, the turning moment of the pressure of the springs 65 about pivot 6| results in a force at 62 on the equalizer ring resulting in a turning moment on the levers 68 at 10 about the throw-out sleeve 1 which, until centrifugal force is operative, has a turning moment greater than the turning moment of the pressure of the same spring 65 through the pressure plate at 69 on the levers 68 about the ,throw-out sleeve, and the clutch is disengaged.

As in the previous examples of a clutch according to th invention, retraction o f the throwout sleeve to the right at any time permits engagement of the clutch while disengagement is effected by moving the throw-out sleeve to the left.

I claim:

l. In a clutch mechanism, a driving member, a driven member, a pressure plate mounted to rotate with the vdriving member but movable into and out of engagement with the driven member to engage and disengage the clutch, resilient means tending to urge the pressure plate into driving engagement withthe driven member, a clutch lever, one end thereof being in pivotal engagement with the pressure plate to control the movement thereof, a movable abutment for the other end of the clutch lever, a pivot for the clutch lever intermediate of its aforesaid ends,

. speed responsive means controlling the position plate into driving engagement with the driven member. ,y

3. Ina clutch mechanism, a driving member,` a driven member, a' pressure plate mounted to rotate with the driving member and out of engagement with the driven member to engage and disengage the clutch, resilient means tending to urge the pressure plate into driving engagement with the driven member, a clutch lever, one end thereof being in pivotal engagement with the pressure pfate to control the movement thereof, a movable abutment for'the other end of the clutch lever, a pivot for the clutch lever intermediate of its aforesaid ends, speed responsive means controlling the position of the pivot, and stop means whereby said movable abutment maybe selectively held in two different positions, in one of which the resilient means is at all times permitted to effect engagement of the clutch and in the other of which the resilient means is permitted to effect or restrained from effecting engagement of the clutch automatically in accordance with the position of the pivot conbut movable into being movable by the speed responsive means to a of the pivot,'and stop means whereby able abutment may be selectively held in two difually engaged.

, the position of the position beyond the position in which the resilient means is automatically permitted to effect the engagement of the pressure plate and the driven member, to al position in which the clutch lever is no longer abutting onv its abutment, whereby the abutment is relieved o f all loading when the clutch is automatically engaged.

1 -In a clutch mechanism, a driving member, a. driven member, a pressure plate mounted to rotate with the driving member but movable into and out of engagement with the driven member to engageand disengage the clutch, resilient means tending to urge the pressure plate into driving engagement with the driven member, a clutch lever, one end thereof being in pivotal en, gagement with the pressure plate to control the movement thereof, a movable abutment for the other end of the clutch lever, a pivot for the clutch lever intermediate of its aforesaid ends, speed responsive means controlling the position said movferent positions, in one of which the resilient' means is at all times permitted to effect engagement of the clutch and in the other of which the resilient means is permitted to effect or restrained from eiecting engagement of the clutch automatically in accordance with the position of the pivot controlled by the speed responsive means; the iirst said position corresponding to the manually engaged position of the clutch parts; said movable abutment in the iirst said position being, out of contact with the is relieved of all loading when the clutch is man- 5. In a clutch mechanism, a driving member, a. driven member, a pressure plate mounted to rotate with the driving member, but movable into and out of engagement with the driven memberV to engage and disengage the clutch, a plurality of clutch levers to controlthe movement of the pressure plate, each of the clutch levers having one end in pivotal engagement with the pressure plate, a movable abutmentfor the other ends of theclutch levers, pivots for thel clutch levers intermediate of their.

a plurality of speed responsive means controlling equalizer ring, and manual means controlling the position of the abutment.

6, A clutch mechanism according to claim 5 in which resilient means'are provided yieldingly urging the pressure plate into'engagement'with the driven member,.and in..vvhich theimovement of thev speed responsive eans'with increasing speed is yieldingly resisted bv resilient from the mst-named resilient clutch lever irrespective of the position of the pivot, whereby the abutment aforesaid ends.` the lastnamed pivots being mounted on an equalizer ring,

'7. A clutch mechanism vaccording to claim 5 in which the movable abutment is retracted away from contact with the clutc'hlever to engage the clutch irrespective of the position of the speed responsive means.

8. A clutch mechanism according to claim 5 in which the movable abutment is moved successively in the same direction from a position in which the. clutch is at all times engaged to a second position in which the clutch may be automatically engaged and disengaged and to a third position in which the clutch is at all times disengaged. f

9. In a clutch mechanism, a driving member, a driven member, a pressure plate mounted to rotate with the driving member but movable into and outof engagement with the driven member to engage and disengage the clutch, centrifugally actuated means including a fly weight having a centrfugal'moment about an axis on the driving member, resilient means between the fly weight and the pressure plate tending to urge the pressure plate 'into driving engagement with the driven member and reacting on the fly weight with a turning moment thereon in opposition to the centrifugal moment thereon about its axis ofn the driving member', a clutch lever having one end in pivotal engagement with the pressure plate, a

.centrifugally actuated fly weight having a centriugal moment about an axis on the driving member and in which the intermediate pivot for the clutch lever is mounted on the-ily weight, being moved towards the driven member as the iiy weight isactuated by' centrifugal force.

12. A clutch mechanism a'ccording to claim 9 in which the movable abutment is retracted away i'omcontact with the clutch lever to engage the clutch irrespective of the position of the speed responsive means. f

13. A clutch mechanism according to claim 9 in4 which the movable abutment is `moved successively in the same direction from a position in which the clutch is at al1 times engaged to a second position in which the clutch may be automatically engaged and disengaged andtoa third 

